James Suffridge
James A. Suffridge (February 2, 1909 – June 7, 2001) was an American labor unionist.
James Suffridge | |
|---|---|
| 7th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union | |
| In office 1953–1968 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence C. Coulter |
| Succeeded by | James Housewright |
| International Secretary-Treasurer of the Retail Clerks International Union | |
| In office 1947–1953 | |
| 5th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union | |
| In office 1944–1947 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Suffridge's father encouraged him to box as a child. James then followed his father in becoming a grocer, moving to Oakland, California, where he joined the Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU). He was soon elected as leader of his local, in which role he encouraged Asian Americans to join the union, while they were often excluded from other unions. He also became known for making compromises with large grocery chains, in exchange for them permitting their workers to unionize.[1][2]
In 1944, Suffridge was elected as president of the RCIU, moving to the top position of secretary-treasurer in 1947. He moved the union's headquarters to
Suffridge retired from the RCIU in 1968, and from the international federation two years later. He moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he was active in the Shriners and played golf.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Zielinski, Graeme (June 14, 2001). "Union Leader James Suffridge Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b Nominations to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Board of Directors. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1970.
- ^ "UFCW mourns Vernon Housewright". UFCW Action. 14: 4. 1992.